Staying Safe and Injury-Free as a Bicyclist in Antioch
Bicycle accidents are more common than one may assume. As a matter of fact, the statistics to back it up are quite concerning. Reports from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center stated that roughly 50,000 cyclists are injured, and 750 lose their lives in accidents every year in the United States. Admittedly, the majority of bike accident-related injuries are minor and do not necessitate medical treatment. However, there are still tons of bicyclists that sustain major injuries which can result in extended pain, costly medical bills, and in some cases, permanent disability or death.
Tips for a Safe Ride
Cyclists are more vulnerable to injuries than the majority of motorists. Car accidents involving bicyclists frequently end in injuries for the bike rider. Although, collisions are not the only way that cyclists get injured. Bicycling can put significant stress on the muscles, joints, and ligaments that we rely on for our day-to-day activities. Furthermore, it is the bicyclists’ responsibility to make sure they are keeping themselves safe on their journeys. Below are a few tips to ensure a fun and safe ride:
- Keep your bike in tip-top condition: This means regularly checking for under or over-inflated tires, a squeaky or unlubricated chain, malfunctioning brakes, broken lights, and broken pedals. Regardless of your biking ability, going outside on an unstable bicycle will eventually lead to a messy situation.
- Adjust your speed to accommodate for different roads: High-speed cycling is one of the main contributing factors to bike accidents. However, this does not imply that one should avoid riding fast altogether. Riding at high speeds can be acceptable if you have used your best judgment to determine it to be safe. Open, straight roads are typically more safe for fast riding as opposed to a curvy road where you are surrounded by other cars.
- Strengthen your core muscles: Bicycling for many hours at a time can add substantial stress on your spine and core muscles, resulting in lower back pains. Weak core muscles cannot endure for long, challenging rides due to their inability to generate the necessary power. When this happens, supporting muscles kick in to compensate for the existing weakness. Furthermore, anyone that is an avid biker should have a core-strengthening regimen that is part of their weekly routine.
- Hold onto the handlebars after you fall: Two common bicycling-related injuries include a broken scaphoid (carpal bone) and a broken clavicle (collarbone). Both of these bones are extra susceptible to injury because when a person falls, they tend to instinctively extend their arms to brace for the fall. The carpal bone and the collarbone usually absorb the majority of the impact. If you hold tightly to your handlebars during a fall, you give your entire body the chance to take the impact rather than just two bones.
Antioch Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, an Antioch Personal Injury Lawyer. Many bicycle accident fatalities that happen each year are determined to be at the fault of another party. If you or a loved one has been critically injured in a bicycle accident, please call me for free, compassionate, friendly advice. Call me today at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400.
I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Please peruse my Settlements and Verdicts to see the case outcomes my firm has achieved in the past.
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Staying Safe and Injury-Free as a Bicyclist in Antioch: AutoAccident.com
Photo: By “Jonny Kennaugh” – Unsplash/ Staying Safe and Injury-Free as a Bicyclist in Antioch.
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